Fact Check: Did Pres. Trump Say He Wants to Throw Out Due Process?

"A lot of times by the time you go to court, it takes so long to go to court, to get the due process procedures." (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

In an astounding reversal of his very public position on the need for due process just weeks ago, President Trump told a group of bipartisan politicians today that law enforcement should have confiscated Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz’ firearms without due process of law:

The police saw that he was a problem, they didn’t take any guns away. Now, that could’ve been policing. They should’ve taken them away anyway, whether they had the right or not.

To further clarify his position, the President added, “Take the guns first, go through due process second.” Now, before this gets overhyped by journalists looking to cash in on controversy, lets reframe the conversation and provide context.The President was discussing Nikolas Cruz, a young man with a well-documented history of mental illness, violence and making threats. Not Rob Porter, who may (keyword) have given his wife a black eye. Florida authorities had plenty of probable cause in the case of Cruz, yet they completely dropped the ball.

Whether the President made a tremendously poor choice of words, or his statements were misreported remains to be seen. Keeping that in mind, let’s rewind a bit to President Trump’s tweet regarding due process from only a few weeks ago.

The above tweet from February 10, is in response to allegations made against members of Trump’s staff. He emphasizes that these allegations can ruin the lives of potentially innocent people, and signs off by asking, “Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?”

The President has changed his position on policy before, but this latest appearance of a significant reversal of course is not sitting well with his base, or really anyone who values the 2nd and 4th Amendments, for that matter.

Before reporting that the President wants to strip Americans of our rights, let’s consider the context of the discussion with respect to the murderer Trump was referring to, and see if the White House makes a statement to clarify this matter. However, if it turns out to be true that the President supports gun grabs and violating due process, lets party like it’s 1776, Patriots. Mr. President, due process doesn’t cease to exist when it becomes inconvenient.